The League of Municipalities in the Philippines, Negros Oriental Chapter, has committed to continue implementing the Integrated Tax Management System Center from the German International Cooperation Agency starting September 30 this year.

LMP-Neg. Or. president, Jimalalud Mayor Reynaldo Tuanda, and Mayor Valente Yap of Bindoy, however, called on Gov. Roel Degamo to shoulder or underwrite the iTAX Center maintenance fee, since the local government units are already collecting real property tax.

Some mayors questioned the inequitable distribution in the collection of maintenance fee from LGUs, and said it has no legal basis.

Mary Margaret Yan Kirit of the Capitol said that from October 2012 until 2015 the management of the iTAX Center will be handled by a group created through an executive order issued by Degamo.

She said she hopes that by 2015, the center will be transformed into an economic enterprise under the provincial government. But is now in dire need of funds for its operations, especially from October to December this year, Kirit added.

With the system, large amounts of data are accepted, processed with accuracy and produce correct information in seconds. It aims to increase tax collection and provides real-time support for the operation of an integrated tax management system with partner LGUs, she said.

The modules include real property payment, business permit and licenses, water, economic enterprise, record of collection and deposits, maintenance, and community tax certificate.

In Negros Oriental, 24 LGUs are implementing the iTAX, with 10 other provinces in the country that share in the cost of maintaining its center.*JG

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